I made this thread for all (members and guest) that experience problems with online playing, are not proficient with computers and/or internet connections or are at the first multiplayer game attempt. Furthermore, this guide also explains and gives details about the new multiplayer modes introduced by HoMM V.

Foreword:

Heroes of Might and Magic V is a great game, very interesting and fun to play. As I noticed (as a matter of fact, we all who played online noticed) that this game is even more wonderful when playing with/against humans.

As you will see, online playing is a very easy thing, and you can learn it in 5 minutes. This guide is long because it explain complex things, not hard ones, mostly things that only support the minimum info you must know.

I'm sorry if sometimes my explanation threatens your intelligence (I actually give a definition to the Main Menu, among other things), but it's better to explain ABSOLUTELY everything that answer stupid questions. And yes, some really need those extra explanations.

Besides, most want a "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Online Playing". Here it is.

I will try to make things as clear as possible, posting many pictures (screenshots of the actual process.)

In this sections we will deal with the various conventions featured by the guide.

First of all, all green underlined are explained in the terminology (available just after the Conventions).

Additionally, the human player (aka you) is referred as Player 1.

1. TERMINOLOGY

AI=(Artificial Intelligence) A human-controlled player can play against an AI-controlled player (a player controlled by the computer).

Duel Mode=One of the 3 new Multiplayer Modes featuring in HoMM V. Also see (2.1.). Also see 3x3 Duel Mode.

Duel=Game played in Duel Mode

Hamachi=A program that allows the player to create his own networks. The user chooses the network's name and creates a password for it. Then he/she can give the network's name/password to persons he/she wants to enter the network. This is a very important thing when playing via LAN, because all the players must belong to the same network. Also see (3.3.1.), (3.3.2.), (3.3.3). Also see LAN.

HC=Abbreviation for Heroes Community: the forum you are browsing now.

Hot-Seat=One of the three available options to play HoMM V in a multiplayer game. Two/more players play using the same computer with this option. Also see (3.1.).

LAN=(Local Area Network) One of the three available options to play HoMM V in a multiplayer game. Two/more players, whose computers are part of the same network play using this option. Players can use a special program called Hamachi to play with players outside their local network. Also see (3.3.) Also see Hamachi.

Lobby=Before starting a game (being it online or not), the player(s) goes to choose some game constants (starting race, starting hero, starting bonus etc.). The screen in which the player(s) make these decisions is called the Lobby.

Map Editor= A special tool used for creating maps, in the scope of using them in a single or multiplayer game. The Map Editor can also be used to create Custom Heroes for the Duel Mode.

Online Code=A special code that comes with the game. Of course, only holders of original games gain. the privilege to have an online code. Keep it safe. Also see (3.1.2)

Ubi.com=One of the three available options to play HoMM V in a multiplayer game. Using the online code, a player gains access to Ubisoft's HoMM network. Here he/she can play with other players who posses an online code.

1.2. ABOUT MULTIPLAYER MODES

HoMM V's Producing Team done a great thing deciding to improve the game's multiplayer part, adding some new innovative modes.

The Duel Mode is a short game mode, played by two humans. Unlike the other multiplayer modes, the Duel Mode isn't based on a map.

The Duel Mode is a very fast mode. Two human players enter the lobby, where they can choose from 24 heroes, each with it's own unique army, skills, perks, spells, artifacts etc. These characteristics can't be changed; all the 24 heroes are balanced.

After each player select his/her's hero, the host changes The Arena (the battlefield; i.e. "The Abyss" or the "Obsidian Plains"). After this, the Duel starts. A combat starts between the two selected heroes on the selected battlefield. New custom arenas for download can be found in the links at the end of the chapter (a arena-making tutorial is also available there).

Each player controls the hero he/she chose, and the winner of the combat is also the winner of the Duel.

All the 24 heroes are equal on paper, so only the skill can give the victory. The heroes can't be edited, but custom ones can creating via the Map Editor. This subject is very nicely treated in one of the PDFs the game comes with, so there is no need discuss this matter here. The PDFs can be found in [Game Directory]/Editor Documentation. You need the one titled HOMM5_Preset_Editor. If for some reason you can't find the PDF, you can download it from here.

The Duel Mode is played between two players only (no more and no less). It is not available in singleplayer and you can't set the AI to play for one of the parties.

However, there's a little trick that allows you to play against the AI in Duel Mode, and that's a very simple on. Just select your hero (Hero 1) and the one you want to play against (Hero 2). Arrange both armies in the Tactics phase, start the combat and click AutoCombat when Hero 2's party has it's first move.

3. How to Play Online
3.1. Hot Seat
3.2. Ubi.com
3.2.1. Online Code
3.2.2. Preparing the Field
3.2.2. Managing Accounts
3.2.3. Ratings/Ladders
3.3. Local Area Network (LAN)
3.3.1. What is Hamachi?
3.3.2. Download Mirrors
3.3.3. How to use Hamachi?

There are three ways to play HoMM V online, granting full coverage to players from around the globe. These three ways are Hot-Seat, LAN or Ubi.com.

The Hot-Seat option is used to play with other players on the same computer.
The LAN option enables you to play with players with computers from the same network as you.
The Ubi.com option is reserved to possessor of Online Codes.

Each of them will be discussed in it's own sub-section. This guide gives lots of details, because it presumes the reader knows absolutely nothing about online playing. Nothing is more annoying than a guide that presumes readers already know what's explained.

3.1. Hot Seat

Due to the TBS concept, HoMM is a game that can be played in multiplayer on the same computer without any problems, unlike most other games, say, real time strategies.

The fact that, at any given time, only one human player acts allows the game to be played on the same computer with up to 8 friends. So, you have invited some friends to your place, you can all play Heroes in a multiplayer using the same computer, thanks to the Hot-Seat .

NOTE: Since two players can't act in the same time on the same computer, in Hot-Seat special multiplayer modes that require more than one player to act in the same time can't be used (i.e. Ghost Mode or Simultaneous Turns Mode.)

To start a Hot-Seat game, follow these steps:

1. Launch Heroes of Might and Magic V.2. In the Main Menu screen, select Multiplayer (second option). 3. In the Multiplayer Menu, select the Hot-Seat option.4. In the Hot-Seat Menu, choose the type of game you want to play.

3.2. Ubi.com

In order to use the service provided by Ubisoft, you need to have a REGISTERED game - this means the game must be original, no piracy.

3.2.1. The Online Code

In the pack your game came you should find the code. The place may differ from edition to edition, but you will usually find it in the instruction booklet. For example, the Complete Edition has the online code written on the back of the instruction booklet:

(due to privacy reasons, the picture was modified so that the code is crossed by a black strip.

The first thing you must do is to register your game. This is important: if you don't register your game, the online code (even if it's a valid one) won't be recognized.

You were prompted to register your game when you finished installation.

If you didn't register it there, simply go to your game folder and you'll find a RegistrationReminder at [Drive]:\[Game Directory]\registration. Clicking on it will send you to a page when you can register your game.

PLEASE NOTE that you can't register your game if it's pirated.

3.2.3. Managing Accounts

After registering the game, follow the steps:

1. Launch the game
2. In the Main Menu, select Multiplayer
3. In the Multiplayer Menu, select Ubi.com
4. Enter the online code

The code will be verified, and afterward you should see a screen like this:

You can use the account you created when registering the game. Or can can create another anytime by clicking on the Account button.

3.3. Local Area Network (LAN)

You can use this option when your opponent(s)'s PC(s) belong(s) to the same local network. If a PC is outside the local network, you will use Hamachi.

3.3.1. What is Hamachi?

Hamachi is a program that allows the use to create his/her own networks. This is very handy because your opponent is part of your local network only if he/she lives very close (and you are not sure even then), and you must belong to the same network as your opponent in order to play via LAN. So, if the local network causes you problems, why not create your very own, one that each of your buddies can enter (yes, even if the live two tectonic plates away).

Hamachi is a trustworthy program, and a very useful one. It's also light, it's size being (depends on the version) less than 10 MBs. The installation doesn't takes more than 5 minutes, and it takes even less to learn how to use it..

1) Alcibiades - for encouraging me during the writing of this guide, and for making it sticky
2) Asheera - for suggestions and helping me answer the questions I was asked in this thread
3) Del_Diablo - for completing missing parts of my guide
4) Elvin - for suggestions and helping me answer the questions I was asked in this thread
5) New World Computing - for creating this magnificent game series
6) UbiSoft - for keeping it alive

I also thank you all for reading my guide. I hope it was helpful, and if you still have questions, ask them in this thread.
____________

Quote:
I did some expaination on section 3...... I scrolled down and found it be be kind of Invisisble. Or transparant.
So i added this to make it more visisble. It follows the orginal post. Starting on 3 that is.

Read this post!

3. How to Play Online
3.1. Hot Seat
3.2. Using Hamachi
3.2.1. What is Hamachi?
3.2.2. Download Mirrors
3.2.3. How to use Hamachi
3.3. Local Area Network = LAN

3.1. Hot Seat

3.3.1. What is Hot Seat
3.3.2. How to use Hot Seat?
3.3.3. Advantages and Disadvantages

---------------------------

3.1.1. Hot Seat is a way to play multiplayer with just 1 PC! Since heroes tends to be a turn based stratergy game, its possible to do it with 1 PC and they added in this option.
The name got someting to do with seat swapping, since usually the player had the seat and its swapping rapidly i guess.

---------------------------

3.1.2. Using Hot Seat is quite simple, select it from the menu under multiplayer and set the players and their names and continue the procedure as usuall.

---------------------------

3.1.3 Advantages and Disadvatages
Advantages:
*Can play with just 1 PC
*No need for network to play with people

Disadvantages:
*Seat swapping
*Easy to se the opponents actions
*You must have your opponents close to your PC

=====================================================================

3.2. Using Hamachi

3.3.1. What is Hamachi?
3.3.2. Download Mirrors
3.3.3. How to use Hamachi
3.3.4 Problems and errors

---------------------------

3.2.1 Hamachi is a kind of network emulator, it are mainly used for the purpose of 2(or heck alot more) players that want to play direct.
Basicly: It fakes LAN.

---------------------------

3.2.2 Most recent version is not stable and does not properly support gaming however, and i cannot find thee link to the old stable version.

Sorry for doing spam like this, but alot of people seem to miss it. Read and stop asking!

---------------------------

3.2.3. Using Hamachi?

Step 1: Download it
step 2: Install Hamachi.
If your using Vista please turn of UAC(User Account Control), it may stop your running Hamachi from creating its needed register files.
If your OS complains about the installer, ignore it and continue. Hamachi does not contain viruses unless somebody hacked the server you downloaded it from and buildt in a few(remember, what are the chances?).

Upon starting Hamachi a "Welcome" will pop up. Please do not skip it, it will learn you what you need to know.

The Interface:

I guess most people by know know how to use it basicaly. Somebody submite a network so we can play then?(preffered to get by PM, will add them in this list).
List:
*Name/Pass: H3ROES
*
*

To play with other people, you need to go:

PS: like every other game, somebody needs to host and somebody needs to join.
NB: You need to be connected to Hamachi and in a channal to make this work, simply because this is to go on LAN and Hamachi fakes a LAN(so you can connect to somebody).

---------------------------

3.2.4 Problems and errors

*Know issues(rarely happens )
Hamachi may screw up your network if it gets set to default device for your network connection. In most cases solving it is simple:
1. turn off hamachis network adapter
2. turn off the ones your using
3. turn on the one your using

Hamachi will be default turn on the network adapter it installs by itself when turned on if your using the correct version. This means this error will most likely never occure.

*Cannot Ping
This may be caused by having a bad connection, your pinging somebody using a different setting on how to connect to the net, firewalls blocking your/others signal and functions, wrong version of Hamachi, proxy is killing it, etc.
Like any program its not failproff(immune to failing), remeber that.

=====================================================================

3.3. Local Area Network (LAN)

3.3.1 Basic explaination

The infamus LAN is the network you are sitting on. Unless your PC's netork manager got a option that is similar to a "Public Place" setting. I do not know, but this may not eneable LAN. Never tested it either thoe.
LAN is the term for the network you are on, aka:
Local Area(your location)
+Network(the network)
-----------------------------------
=LAN
======================================

You are sitting on a network to into internett, the inside of this network is the LAN. All computers using the same network to get to internett is also on this LAN area.
LAN is that you connect to these people.
But if your sitting on "Gulbrandsen" network to get to internett, you cannot connect to your buddy if the buddy is on "Håvardsens" network. Simply because they are different networks.
If you both are sitting on either, you are free to go.
I guess a connection cable should work fine too.

So its the same methode as when you hit it on Hamachi:

---------------------------

3.3.2 What about WLAN?

The infamus WLAN is that you got a wireless connection to the internett. Same procedure......... works the same............
But you are not using ethern cable to connect.

I thank you all for your positive reactions towards this guide.
@del_diablo, asheera and lexxan: I appreciate your help. Your informations will make this guide as complete and helpful as possible.

I'll do my best to finish it ASAP, but it might take a while since it's a long guide and I'm kinda busy nowadays. (In my country, there are given lots of exams in the beggining of the highschool year)
____________

I and my friends tried to play Heroes V (Tribes of the East) Multiplayer game via Hamachi - got unsuccesfull
We installed Patch (heroes_might_magic_5_3.01_eu) - maybe this causes the problem?
We all have the latest Hamachi. Should we download an older version?
Any other guess what can be wrong?
Thanks

I can't see the Created game to join.
Grrr hate it .. and don't know where the problem lies.
Maybe some other settings made in the game before the Multiplayer challange? Screen resolution? Or other stuff..
____________

P.S.
Can I test with somebody the LAN game via Hamachi today (or another day) ? I want to find out where the problem lies.
Please drop PM or write here the network and password.
Today I can test it 18:30-19:30 (I have -4hours from the server so now it's 13:08).
Thanks

Can you "ping" your friend in Hamachi? That means, press Right-Click when you're over your friend's ID in Hamachi and select "Ping".

Also I had a strange problem with Zamfir when we played Duels as well: If I created the game, he didn't see it, but if he was the one to create it, then I could see his game and join and play perfectly____________